Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContactCapitol UpdateFriday, October 6, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link. Honoring a Dedicated Public Servant  I was honored to join in the official dedication ceremony for the Richard “Dick” Kallenborn Memorial Bridge on Lower Portage Road in Liberty Township last week. As a long-time member of the McKean County Planning Commission, Dick advocated for funding for many infrastructure projects, including the bridge now named in his honor. We were joined by members of the Kallenborn family, including Dick’s widow, Peggy, who cut the ribbon on the new bridge. Thank you to Liberty Township Supervisors Chairman Dick Brown for organizing the ceremony. It was a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated so much to our community. Tuition, Loan Assistance Available for Volunteer First Responders Working to help our communities recruit and retain vital first responders, the General Assembly last year established the Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program. Now accepting applications, the program is available to volunteers who reside in the Commonwealth and have been active volunteers in good standing for at least one year prior to applying. Applicants must also meet participation requirements and commit to serving as an active volunteer for at least five years after completing their education. The program provides up to $1,000 per academic year for full-time students and $500 for part-time students. For additional details or to apply for the program, click here. You’re Invited to the Potter County Senior Citizens Expo  Please join us on Friday, Oct. 13, for the Potter County Senior Citizens Expo! Open to senior citizens and their family members and caregivers, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Roulette Fire Hall, 12 River St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free to attend, and lunch will be provided. State, county and local exhibitors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions about a variety of issues. Health screenings will also be offered, and door prize drawings will be held at 12:30 p.m. This is the final expo of the year so you don’t want to miss it! PLEASE NOTE: Due to the expo, my offices in Bradford and Coudersport will be closed all day on Friday, Oct. 13. The office in Kane will remain open and may be reached by calling 814-837-0880. Is Your License Plate Unreadable? We’ll Help You Replace It!  If you are dealing with an unreadable license plate on your vehicle, please join us on Thursday, Oct. 26, for an event to help you get that plate replaced at NO CHARGE. The event will be from 4-7 p.m. at the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, 46 Main St., Lewis Run. State law requires PennDOT to replace license plates that are deemed illegible at no cost to the vehicle owner. A plate is considered illegible when one or more numbers or letters cannot be recognized from 50 feet away, typically due to blistering, peeling, discoloration, loss of reflectivity or other damage. The McKean County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to view driver’s plates, and if the plates are deemed illegible, paperwork to start the replacement process will be completed. Those who plan to attend should bring their vehicle with the affected plate attached, along with their unexpired PA driver’s license and current vehicle registration card. Registration is requested and may be completed online at www.RepCauser.com/Events or by calling the Bradford office at 814-362-4400. Election Code Changes Would Bring Chaos Click here to view video. The House Democrat majority this week tried to force through major changes to the state’s election system, changes that would have sent county election offices into chaos and do nothing to restore faith and confidence in our election system. Late Wednesday evening, just before midnight, the Democrat-led House Appropriations Committee adopted a comprehensive, never-before-seen amendment to an Election Code bill. The amendment would have, among other things, implemented permanent mail-in voting. That means once a person applies for a mail-in ballot a single time, he or she would receive mail-in ballots in perpetuity and would have to jump through significant hoops to actually cast a ballot in person. Such an action further erodes the security and integrity of our elections. Rather than make the proposals available to the public for review, members of the committee received the amendment just minutes prior to the vote. Our elections are far too important for substantial changes to be made without time for public review and deliberation. Ultimately, the bill failed to pass the House, but a motion to reconsider the vote has been filed so it could be brought up again at any time. It’s time to work together to improve election integrity for the people of this Commonwealth through a comprehensive voter ID requirement. Pennsylvania Manufacturing Week Manufacturing is at the heart of our economy. Check out these key facts about the industry!  Grants Aim to Combat Drug, Alcohol Abuse  The Office of Attorney General is inviting local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community or parent groups to apply for funding through its Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program. Projects should involve neighborhood-based events that provide education, prevention and/or intervention related to drug and alcohol abuse, including the violence and other consequences these substances can cause. For more information or to apply for a grant, click here. Farmers: Apply Now to Receive Free Legal Services  The Penn State Law Rural Economic Development Clinic is now accepting applications for its fall 2023 semester and is looking to assist farmers and agricultural businesses that are engaged in agritourism operations or the direct sale of agricultural products. To take advantage of this opportunity, interested individuals and organizations should send an email to Ross Pifer at rhp102@psu.edu, providing a detailed explanation of the specific legal services desired along with appropriate background information. Priority will be given to those applications received by Oct. 10. The clinic may not be able to provide services to all who request them but will do its best to serve the greatest number of clients possible. The clinic provides law students with practical legal experience in the food and agricultural sectors. Working under the close supervision of law faculty and staff attorneys who are licensed Pennsylvania attorneys, student attorneys can assist farmers and agricultural businesses in a variety of legal matters. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month  To honor those who have fought breast cancer or who are fighting it now, the fountain at the Pennsylvania State Capitol’s East Wing has been dyed pink again this year in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It represents about 30% of all new female cancers each year. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. The pink fountain is also a reminder to all women of the importance of mammograms and early detection. People with low to moderate income who are uninsured or underinsured and meet certain age requirements may qualify for testing through the Pennsylvania Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn about the program and eligibility, click here. PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Columbus Day Holiday  All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Oct. 7, through Monday, Oct. 9, in observance of Columbus Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov. |
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